This garden had spectacular plant moments before we did anything. The client has the only snowbrush Ceanothus I’ve seen in Seattle. One of the clients has restored habitat in Ravenna Park for decades before that was a hip thing to do. Her garden has been a repository for unusual native plants and native plant stock for transplanting to Ravenna Park.

Through this restoration-style garden renovation, we sought to go all the way with turning this city lot into 
a full-on wildlife refuge. Aggressively gardeny vestiges of laurel hedge, boxwoods, and lawn are extricated and traded for a diverse and largely native tapestry. The old apple tree shelters a fern garden and the 
back opens up to a micro-aspen grove and meadow.

We tried to keep out the bunnies. But they kept appearing on the game cam, along with cats and skunks. Now we let them roam and ask them not 
to eat the winter irises until after they bloom.

The clients say the bird life they watch from their breakfast nook is better than ever. The garden 
only got water twice last summer. Weeds haven’t been bad and the minimal garden maintenance needed keeps the owner free to be on-task with 
her Ravenna park restoration work.

Construction by me, the owner, Dirt Corps, and most importantly, Gaudancio Rodriguez.

Photos by me, Saxon Holt, and by my nieces Isla and Margot.